If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from gout attacks, you will know how hard it can be to figure out the dos and don’ts of effective gout management. From the foods to avoid to finding healthy gout supplements and exercises to keep your flare-ups at bay, you can often be left with more questions than answers. For example, if you’re looking for gentle workouts to help with gout, you might wonder: Is Pilates good for gout?
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a versatile form of low-impact exercise that is designed to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility and posture. It can be performed with or without weights and encompasses a wide range of postures. While many Pilates moves focus on improving core strength, it is not restricted to any particular body part, allowing it to be tailored to specific needs.
This increasingly popular form of exercise is often compared to yoga, another posture-focused practice. Indeed, both arts involve precise movements and breath control; however, there are some differences. While yoga is an ancient spiritual practice, Pilates was only invented in the 1920s. Moreover, it was initially created to help dancers recover from injury!
Which brings us to the benefits of Pilates.
Pilates: What are the Benefits?
There are many reasons Pilates has become so popular in the UK and many other countries, including its versatility and accessibility. But the benefits of Pilates also speak for themselves.
Like yoga, it can be used to strengthen the full body while improving flexibility and mobility. However, some research indicates that Pilates may be even better for improving functional movement than yoga. The study, published in the Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation found that participants who practiced Pilates for one hour three times a week for eight weeks achieved greater improvements in balance, stability, and mobility compared to those who did yoga.
Pilates, like many forms of exercise, may also have benefits for mental health, potentially helping to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. In addition, some research indicates that practising Pilates can lead to reductions in fatigue and increases in overall energy!
Can I do Pilates if I have gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by the formation of uric acid crystals in the joints. These crystals occur when blood uric acid levels are higher than they should be. This can occur for a number of reasons, including genetics, diet, and the presence of another health condition such as kidney disease.
The condition is characterised by intermittent symptoms followed by periods of remission. As you are probably aware, gout flare-ups can be intensely painful in addition to limiting your range of movement in the affected area and even your overall mobility. So, with all this in mind, could Pilates really be a good option?
Well, studies indicate that exercise in general can help to reduce inflammation and even the levels of some proteins associated with gout. As a low-impact exercise, Pilates may be a good option for individuals with gout who are looking to get active. Moreover, as a practice that was designed to help people recover from injury, it may help to improve mobility and flexibility in the affected area.
There are even some Pilates classes catered directly for people with arthritis, featuring gentle exercises to help get your joints moving safely!
Conclusions
Few studies have aimed to assess the benefits of Pilates for gout; however, all things indicate that, if done mindfully, Pilates could be a great option for those looking to incorporate exercise into their routine. Evidence indicates that practicing Pilates regularly can help to improve overall strength and joint mobility, potentially helping to speed up recovery from painful and debilitating gout attacks.
